Welcome
Thank you so much for joining us! The following page will take you through the order of worship for this Sunday.
If you are new, welcome! We also want to invite you to learn more about us. You can do so by selecting the button below.
If you are new, welcome! We also want to invite you to learn more about us. You can do so by selecting the button below.
A few tips for parents:
- Plan for your time – read through the guide and prepare the room where you are gathering
- Make your time joyful – have fun!!!
- Remember, it’s primarily about a relationship, not a task to scratch off
- Have your kids participate in age and maturity appropriate ways – reading, singing, etc.
Time of Reflection
“God cannot be Word-less, for the Word is God. Here then is a God who could never be anything but communicative, expansive, outgoing. Since God cannot be without this Word, he simply could not ever be reclusive.”
~Michael Reeves, president Union School of Theology (Oxford)
“The universe is ‘full of images of divine things, as full as language is of words.’”
~Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), New England pastor and theologian
“One of the appeals of idolatry is…creating our own version of god means we can tame it. A created thing can only do what we allow it to do unlike the true God who isn’t manageable. He can’t be put on a shelf or told to hush. We want to worship what we can control.”
~Jackie Hill Perry, writer and hip-hop artist
“For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”
~Robert Jastrow (1925-2008), leading astronomer and planetary physicist
“God has all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He has made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them.”
~Westminster Confession of Faith II.2. (1646)
“The heavens praise Thee, and their whole might, the sun, the moon, and all the choir of stars, the earth, the sea and all that therein is…”
~From the Greek Liturgy of St. James
“Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ…. Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in His beams. Feel His all-seeing eye settled on you in love, and repose in His almighty arms…. Let your soul be filled with a heart-ravishing sense of the sweetness and excellency of Christ and all that is in Him.”
~Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843), Church of Scotland minister
“The Son is the Father’s All.”
~Athanasius (c. 196-373 AD), North African bishop theologian and church leader
~Michael Reeves, president Union School of Theology (Oxford)
“The universe is ‘full of images of divine things, as full as language is of words.’”
~Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), New England pastor and theologian
“One of the appeals of idolatry is…creating our own version of god means we can tame it. A created thing can only do what we allow it to do unlike the true God who isn’t manageable. He can’t be put on a shelf or told to hush. We want to worship what we can control.”
~Jackie Hill Perry, writer and hip-hop artist
“For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”
~Robert Jastrow (1925-2008), leading astronomer and planetary physicist
“God has all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He has made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them.”
~Westminster Confession of Faith II.2. (1646)
“The heavens praise Thee, and their whole might, the sun, the moon, and all the choir of stars, the earth, the sea and all that therein is…”
~From the Greek Liturgy of St. James
“Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ…. Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in His beams. Feel His all-seeing eye settled on you in love, and repose in His almighty arms…. Let your soul be filled with a heart-ravishing sense of the sweetness and excellency of Christ and all that is in Him.”
~Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843), Church of Scotland minister
“The Son is the Father’s All.”
~Athanasius (c. 196-373 AD), North African bishop theologian and church leader
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 19 (NIV)
LEADER: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
CONGREGATION: Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
LEADER: There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
CONGREGATION: Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
LEADER: In the heavens, he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
CONGREGATION: It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
LEADER: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
CONGREGATION: Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
LEADER: There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
CONGREGATION: Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
LEADER: In the heavens, he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
CONGREGATION: It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
GOD OF WONDERS
(Marc Byrd)
(Marc Byrd)
Lord of all creation,
Of water, earth and sky.
The heavens are your tabernacle,
Glory to the Lord on high.
CHORUS:
God of wonders beyond our galaxy,
You are holy, holy.
The universe declares your majesty,
You are holy, holy.
Lord of heaven and earth,
Lord of heaven and earth.
Early in the morning,
I will celebrate the light.
When I stumble in the darkness,
I will call your name by night.
(CHORUS)
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
©2000 New Spring Publishing, Inc. CCLI#1791178
Of water, earth and sky.
The heavens are your tabernacle,
Glory to the Lord on high.
CHORUS:
God of wonders beyond our galaxy,
You are holy, holy.
The universe declares your majesty,
You are holy, holy.
Lord of heaven and earth,
Lord of heaven and earth.
Early in the morning,
I will celebrate the light.
When I stumble in the darkness,
I will call your name by night.
(CHORUS)
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
©2000 New Spring Publishing, Inc. CCLI#1791178
RESPONSIVE READING
Adapted from Isaiah 40 & 53 (NASB)
LEADER: Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
CONGREGATION: Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
LEADER: He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
CONGREGATION: Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
LEADER: For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
CONGREGATION: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
LEADER: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
CONGREGATION: But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
ALL: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
LEADER: Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
CONGREGATION: Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
LEADER: He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
CONGREGATION: Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
LEADER: For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
CONGREGATION: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
LEADER: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
CONGREGATION: But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
ALL: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
BEHOLD OUR GOD
(Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, Stephen Altrogge)
(Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, Stephen Altrogge)
Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice.
All creation rises to rejoice.
CHORUS:
Behold our God, seated on His throne.
Come, let us adore Him.
Behold our King, nothing can compare,
Come, let us adore Him!
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the one who knows all things?
Who can fathom all his wondrous deeds?
(CHORUS)
Who has felt the nails upon His hands.
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal, humbled to the grave,
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign!
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
You will reign forever! (Let Your glory fill the earth)
You will reign forever! (Let your glory fill the earth)
You will reign forever! (Let your glory fill the earth)
You will reign forever! (Let your glory fill)
(CHORUS)
©2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). CCLI #1791178
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice.
All creation rises to rejoice.
CHORUS:
Behold our God, seated on His throne.
Come, let us adore Him.
Behold our King, nothing can compare,
Come, let us adore Him!
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the one who knows all things?
Who can fathom all his wondrous deeds?
(CHORUS)
Who has felt the nails upon His hands.
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal, humbled to the grave,
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign!
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
You will reign forever! (Let Your glory fill the earth)
You will reign forever! (Let your glory fill the earth)
You will reign forever! (Let your glory fill the earth)
You will reign forever! (Let your glory fill)
(CHORUS)
©2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). CCLI #1791178
Sharing
(as a lead into the Prayer Time, as a group share how you are feeling and what you are learning; below are suggested questions)
Prayer Time
(You may have an open time of prayer or select someone to pray)
- Pray for our church’s short and long-term meeting place needs, that God would give us favor in the eyes of those in authority and that He would give us provision that would go far beyond all that we could ask or imagine.
- Pray for our world – that the good news of Jesus Christ would flourish and that many would come to know God genuinely and personally.
- Pray for those experiencing racial injustices; specifically, that God would bring hope, reconciliation, and restoration through the good news of His Son.
- Pray for those in authority at every level in our country, that they would govern wisely and justly.
Listen to Sermon
“How Has God Made Himself Known?”
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
Confession of Faith
Adapted from The Belgic Confession (1561), Articles 2 & 20
LEADER: Christian, what do you believe?
CONGREGATION: The universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God. And we believe that this God, who is perfectly merciful and just, sent His Son to assume our nature and bear the punishment of our sin by His most bitter passion and death, that through him we might obtain immortality and life eternal.
LEADER: Christian, what do you believe?
CONGREGATION: The universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God. And we believe that this God, who is perfectly merciful and just, sent His Son to assume our nature and bear the punishment of our sin by His most bitter passion and death, that through him we might obtain immortality and life eternal.
Sharing Time
(have everyone share one thing that struck them from the sermon)
Song
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
HE WILL HOLD ME FAST
(Ada Ruth Habershon, 1906, Matthew Merker)
(Ada Ruth Habershon, 1906, Matthew Merker)
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold;
He must hold me fast.
CHORUS:
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast,
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight,
Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight,
He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost;
His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.
(CHORUS)
For my life He bled and died,
Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied;
He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life,
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight,
When he comes at last.
(CHORUS)
©2013 Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by
Music Services, Inc.) CCLI #1791178
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold;
He must hold me fast.
CHORUS:
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast,
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight,
Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight,
He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost;
His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.
(CHORUS)
For my life He bled and died,
Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied;
He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life,
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight,
When he comes at last.
(CHORUS)
©2013 Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by
Music Services, Inc.) CCLI #1791178
Benediction
(The leader or individual should read this aloud relishing in the confident assertion that Christ has conquered.)
Luke 12:29-32
LEADER: Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
PEOPLE: Amen!
Luke 12:29-32
LEADER: Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
PEOPLE: Amen!